IPL GC says no to Pakistan players: Sources

Despite having welcomed the government's decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan, the BCCI has remained cautious over inviting their players for the lucrative Indian Premier League. Informed sources have stated that the BCCI has discreetly asked all the franchises not to consider opting for Pakistan players in the upcoming auctions scheduled to be held in January.

The Indian board fears that any new controversy arising from the inclusion of Pakistani players in tournament will completely tarnish the image of the mega rich tournament. The matter has been deferred officially until the next meeting.

BCCI sources have stated that they are wary of several factors including the spot fixing controversy, the misbehavior on the part of some Pakistan players and the practicality of providing extra security and dealing with threats of disruption from various political and social organizations.

A top BCCI official has confirmed to Mail Today that the BCCI are averse to let Pakistan players participate in the tournament.

"We are trying to discourage the franchises against picking them during the auction. And there are obvious reasons for it," he said without elaborating on the issues.

Pakistan players had participated in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 but have missed out since the Mumbai attacks later that year.

The franchises also seem to be less perturbed with the decision of the BCCI. "There aren't too many big players to pick anyways, and most of us have very limited slots. Maybe if those players were available, Saeed Ajmal would have been a major draw or Abdul Razzaq or Umar Akmal," a franchisee owner said.

"But IPL was running well even without Pakistan players, and if the BCCI thinks it's fine, we are fine with it."